Eastern
Michigan University, AAUP await fact finder’s
recommendations

YPSILANTI — Bargaining
teams for Eastern Michigan University and the
EMU Chapter of the American Association for University
Professors (AAUP) have filed their post-hearing briefs
in the next step of the fact-finding process, which began
in November 2006. EMU's brief is available online here (PDF file).

Fact
finding is a conflict resolution process designed
to assist Michigan public employers and employees
in the collective bargaining process.

After
reviewing the post-hearing briefs, Benjamin Kerner,
the state-appointed fact finder, will issue a
finding that summarizes his recommendations for
how best to resolve the remaining issues in the
negotiations. Kerner is expected to present his
recommendations by early April, if not sooner.
Both sides will then go back to the bargaining
table to negotiate an agreement based on the fact
finder’s recommendations.

The
primary topics being addressed are compensation,
health care benefits and employer retirement contributions,
according to Rhonda Longworth, interim assistant
vice president for academic affairs.

“This
has been a valuable process that I feel will help
us reach a fair and equitable solution,” Longworth
said. “We hope to reach a settlement soon.”

EMU
asked the AAUP in September 2006 to join the university
in seeking the assistance of an impartial external
fact finder to assist in resolving stalled contract
negotiations. The 689 faculty members have been
working under their previous contract since Sept.
1, 2006.

Eastern Michigan University is a public, comprehensive
university that offers programs in the arts, sciences and professions.
EMU prepares students with the intellectual skills and practical experiences
to succeed in their career and lives, and to be better citizens.